Supermarkets urged not to open on Christmas Day

Supermarket chains have come under pressure from shop staff not to extend their opening hours over Christmas.

Members of the shopworkers’ union Usdaw claim the large retail stores could be open for business on Christmas Day. The union has launched a national campaign for legislation to prevent supermarkets opening 25 December.

Usdaw member Nigel Griffiths MP said, “Britain is fast becoming a 24-hour society, with shopworkers on the front line.

“We are seeing more and more work-related stress caused by longer and more unsocial hours, which impacts on families, especially those with young children.”

Griffiths will seek to have the issue debated during the next parliamentary session and lobby to have Christmas opening hours regulated by legislation.

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www.usdaw.org.uk

By Richard Staines